This is my Godson, Cameron (RT) and his brother, Dalton (LT). I'm in the middle in case you couldn't figure that one out... This was taken the day after Cameron's 7th Birthday in Sigonella, Sicily. After years apart they finally moved to Virginia Beach, just in time to say good-bye as I packed up for Afghanistan. Sad, but true.
Back in January I was notified by my command that I'd been selected for an IA (Individual Augmentation), but was informed by my CO (Commanding Officer) that he'd been assured that I was an 'alternate' and would go thru the training, return to my command and be on 'stand-by' in case the 'primary' could not perform the mission for any reason. He was told that "they had never had to use an 'alternate' on the officer side of the house." About two weeks later when my orders arrived it appeared that my 'alternate' status had mysteriously been changed to 'primary' without any explanation or warning. In my typical way (of course that being; witty and sarcastic sense of humor and charm), I drafted the following email:
Subject: New development
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:18:54 -0500
Dear Family and Friends,
Late yesterday afternoon I was informed that my "alternate" status had just been upgraded to "primary" for a one year all expense paid trip to Afghanistan. I will report next month to Fort Riley, Kansas for 8 weeks of training followed by twelve months "in country" in Afghanistan. The reason for my IA (individual augmentation) is a Navy-wide effort to help support "critical" Army billets that can't be filled from their ranks. In case you can't read between the lines, this should read: The Army sucks and can't manage their own personnel, so now they've come pleading to the Navy asking to put our people into jobs they need filled... Not jobs in which we have been training for four or five years, like say, flying helicopters (BTW I volunteered for "air ambulance a year ago), but grunt jobs such as OIC (officer in charge) of a "reconstruction team," whatever that means - guess I'll find out... I won't say that I'm happy with my recent selection, but I will now have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the War on Terrorism.
My understanding is that training begins w/ a small surgical procedure in which 1/2 of my brain will be removed so that I can operate on the Army's level and won't be so brazen as to make any decisions on my wn. Followed closely by rote memorization on the immediate chain of command with which all decisions must be made. I think prior written permission is required in order to poop... I'll then be trained on small arms, the M9 handgun (which I understand is a piece of $H%T) and the M16 (also a piece of $H%T, but it holds more bullets...) and then onto the M240 which is what we use on our helicopter.
Each morning begins w/ PT (physical training) followed by language training; as I am told I will be trained in at least two languages. I'm still in the learning process of this exciting new challenge (or "opportunity" as the Army calls it), but will continue to provide periodic updates. Thanks in advance for your prayers, "well wishes" and keeping me in your thoughts.
All the best!
Michael
PS -> if I see bin Laden I'll be sure to say hello for everyone(translation: size 9 1/2 to the groin and a riflebutt to the temple...)
"I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life; I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well." - Roosevelt
Subject: New development
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:18:54 -0500
Dear Family and Friends,
Late yesterday afternoon I was informed that my "alternate" status had just been upgraded to "primary" for a one year all expense paid trip to Afghanistan. I will report next month to Fort Riley, Kansas for 8 weeks of training followed by twelve months "in country" in Afghanistan. The reason for my IA (individual augmentation) is a Navy-wide effort to help support "critical" Army billets that can't be filled from their ranks. In case you can't read between the lines, this should read: The Army sucks and can't manage their own personnel, so now they've come pleading to the Navy asking to put our people into jobs they need filled... Not jobs in which we have been training for four or five years, like say, flying helicopters (BTW I volunteered for "air ambulance a year ago), but grunt jobs such as OIC (officer in charge) of a "reconstruction team," whatever that means - guess I'll find out... I won't say that I'm happy with my recent selection, but I will now have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the War on Terrorism.
My understanding is that training begins w/ a small surgical procedure in which 1/2 of my brain will be removed so that I can operate on the Army's level and won't be so brazen as to make any decisions on my wn. Followed closely by rote memorization on the immediate chain of command with which all decisions must be made. I think prior written permission is required in order to poop... I'll then be trained on small arms, the M9 handgun (which I understand is a piece of $H%T) and the M16 (also a piece of $H%T, but it holds more bullets...) and then onto the M240 which is what we use on our helicopter.
Each morning begins w/ PT (physical training) followed by language training; as I am told I will be trained in at least two languages. I'm still in the learning process of this exciting new challenge (or "opportunity" as the Army calls it), but will continue to provide periodic updates. Thanks in advance for your prayers, "well wishes" and keeping me in your thoughts.
All the best!
Michael
PS -> if I see bin Laden I'll be sure to say hello for everyone(translation: size 9 1/2 to the groin and a riflebutt to the temple...)
"I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life; I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well." - Roosevelt
That was then:
This is NOW...
